The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells of the colon exist in a highly complex, but harmonious relationship. Disturbances in this remarkable symbiosis can result in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). A...The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells of the colon exist in a highly complex, but harmonious relationship. Disturbances in this remarkable symbiosis can result in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although the etiology of IBD is not entirely understood, it is known that the chronic inflammation of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic pouchitis are a result of an overly aggressive immune response to the commensal intestinal flora in genetically susceptible hosts. Recent studies have enhanced our ability to understand the interaction between the host and its intestinal microflora and the role the microflora plays in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. As we begin to understand the benefi ts conferred to the intestine by the microflora, the notion of modifying the composition of the bacterial load to improve human health has arisen. A signifi cant body of research now exists investigating the role of probiotics and prebiotics in ameliorating chronic intestinal inflammation. This article will begin with an overview of the role of the commensal microflora in maintaining mucosal immune homeostasis, and how a dysregulated immune response to the intestinal microflora results in IBD. This will be followed by a summary of the use of probiotics and prebiotics in experimental and human IBD.展开更多
Objective: To assess the occurrence of stressful life events in the year before the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Methods: A consecutive series of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age (56.3±11.9) yea...Objective: To assess the occurrence of stressful life events in the year before the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Methods: A consecutive series of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age (56.3±11.9) years, mean disease duration (4.3±3.1) years; 32 females and 8 males), including 28 with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and 12 with limited cutaneous scleroderma, were evaluated. A control group of 40 healthy subjects free of systemic sclerosis also was included. Socioeconomic status was inves- tigated and Paykel's interview for recent life events (a semi-structured research interview covering 64 life events) was conducted. Results: Patients with systemic sclerosis showed higher percentages of lower education (72.5%) and working class (82.5%), and reported more stressful life events (P<0.05), such as exits (P<0.05), undesirable events (P<0.01), and uncontrolled events (P<0.001), when compared with the control. More events that had an objective negative impact (P<0.001) were also reported in systemic sclerosis patients than in the control. These results are in accordance with a multifactorial model of pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: We reported a strong relationship between stressful life events and the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Our findings are consistent with current understanding of the extensive links of behavioral responses to stress with neurophysiological and biochemical processes.展开更多
Several hundred species of bacteria inhabit the gut, and affect its cell biology, morphology and homeostasis. Many bacteria are however potential pathogens, especially if the integrity of the epithelial barrier is phy...Several hundred species of bacteria inhabit the gut, and affect its cell biology, morphology and homeostasis. Many bacteria are however potential pathogens, especially if the integrity of the epithelial barrier is physically or functionally breached. Conversely, the interaction between host and commensal microbes can confer important health benefits. This has led to commercial and public interest in ＇probiotics＇, live microbes principally taken as food supplements. Might probiotics also be used in disease therapy？ Experimental evidence that probiotics modulate gut physiology, particularly barrier integrity and immunological function, underpins exciting new gastroenterological research. We discuss below the scientific basis for probiotic effects and present a critical perspective for their use in relation to gastrointestinal disease.展开更多
The unity between physics and biology refers to that the inorganic systems： the Solar System, galaxies and artificial systems have the same structures and functions as the organisms. The development of science and te...The unity between physics and biology refers to that the inorganic systems： the Solar System, galaxies and artificial systems have the same structures and functions as the organisms. The development of science and technology is demonstrating the intense unification trends of physics and biology and a holistic science and technology era is about to start. The physics and biology unify on the basis of the four seasons＇ law, which is the most important rule of the universe. Life is defined as the four seasons＇ whole with the structure and process of four seasons. The organism is basically structured into a dual four-season body by state-varying, state-stabilizing and control organizations. Animals, the Solar System and the earth are all the dual four-season bodies. In the unity between physics and biology, the inorganic life materials and inorganic life body can be manufactured artificially.展开更多
The way that humans think about the earth certainly affects the way that they relate and behave towards the earth and all its life forms. The various ideologies or worldviews that humanity has experienced such as dual...The way that humans think about the earth certainly affects the way that they relate and behave towards the earth and all its life forms. The various ideologies or worldviews that humanity has experienced such as dualism, capitalism, holism, animism, ubuntu, ukama, vital force, colonialism, and so forth are all different ways of thinking and relating to the earth. The paper argues that dualistic ways of thinking or viewpoints that radically separate the human as distinct from the earth are hostile to both human and earth flourishing. It further argues that the ecological crisis which has witnessed the destruction and pollution of the ecosystems and other devastations cannot be solved when humans continue to see the earth as an object for conquest and exploitation. Using a critical hermeneutics method, the paper affirms that the African principle of relationality can help in mitigating the environmental crisis. It finds and concludes that if this principle is radically practiced, a better environment will be created.展开更多
This paper provides an overview of the degradation in CANDU^a （Canadian Deuterium Uranium） feeders in operating plants observed from the mid 1990s onward. The degradation has been dominated by feeder wall thinning, ...This paper provides an overview of the degradation in CANDU^a （Canadian Deuterium Uranium） feeders in operating plants observed from the mid 1990s onward. The degradation has been dominated by feeder wall thinning, caused by FAC （flow accelerated corrosion） and feeder cracking. This paper summarizes the industry＇s response to the discovery of these two degradation mechanisms and the methodologies, tools and technologies developed to monitor the degradation and assess the continued fitness for service to manage the plant life. This paper identifies some of the lessons gained from more than a decade of industry effort, and discusses how these lessons are being implemented in the refurbished and new CANDU plants. CANDU^a is a registered trademark of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.展开更多
文摘The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells of the colon exist in a highly complex, but harmonious relationship. Disturbances in this remarkable symbiosis can result in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Although the etiology of IBD is not entirely understood, it is known that the chronic inflammation of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic pouchitis are a result of an overly aggressive immune response to the commensal intestinal flora in genetically susceptible hosts. Recent studies have enhanced our ability to understand the interaction between the host and its intestinal microflora and the role the microflora plays in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. As we begin to understand the benefi ts conferred to the intestine by the microflora, the notion of modifying the composition of the bacterial load to improve human health has arisen. A signifi cant body of research now exists investigating the role of probiotics and prebiotics in ameliorating chronic intestinal inflammation. This article will begin with an overview of the role of the commensal microflora in maintaining mucosal immune homeostasis, and how a dysregulated immune response to the intestinal microflora results in IBD. This will be followed by a summary of the use of probiotics and prebiotics in experimental and human IBD.
基金Project (No. B340406052) supported by the Science and Technology Foundation of Shanghai Railway Bureau of China
文摘Objective: To assess the occurrence of stressful life events in the year before the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Methods: A consecutive series of 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age (56.3±11.9) years, mean disease duration (4.3±3.1) years; 32 females and 8 males), including 28 with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and 12 with limited cutaneous scleroderma, were evaluated. A control group of 40 healthy subjects free of systemic sclerosis also was included. Socioeconomic status was inves- tigated and Paykel's interview for recent life events (a semi-structured research interview covering 64 life events) was conducted. Results: Patients with systemic sclerosis showed higher percentages of lower education (72.5%) and working class (82.5%), and reported more stressful life events (P<0.05), such as exits (P<0.05), undesirable events (P<0.01), and uncontrolled events (P<0.001), when compared with the control. More events that had an objective negative impact (P<0.001) were also reported in systemic sclerosis patients than in the control. These results are in accordance with a multifactorial model of pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: We reported a strong relationship between stressful life events and the initiation of systemic sclerosis. Our findings are consistent with current understanding of the extensive links of behavioral responses to stress with neurophysiological and biochemical processes.
文摘Several hundred species of bacteria inhabit the gut, and affect its cell biology, morphology and homeostasis. Many bacteria are however potential pathogens, especially if the integrity of the epithelial barrier is physically or functionally breached. Conversely, the interaction between host and commensal microbes can confer important health benefits. This has led to commercial and public interest in ＇probiotics＇, live microbes principally taken as food supplements. Might probiotics also be used in disease therapy？ Experimental evidence that probiotics modulate gut physiology, particularly barrier integrity and immunological function, underpins exciting new gastroenterological research. We discuss below the scientific basis for probiotic effects and present a critical perspective for their use in relation to gastrointestinal disease.
文摘The unity between physics and biology refers to that the inorganic systems： the Solar System, galaxies and artificial systems have the same structures and functions as the organisms. The development of science and technology is demonstrating the intense unification trends of physics and biology and a holistic science and technology era is about to start. The physics and biology unify on the basis of the four seasons＇ law, which is the most important rule of the universe. Life is defined as the four seasons＇ whole with the structure and process of four seasons. The organism is basically structured into a dual four-season body by state-varying, state-stabilizing and control organizations. Animals, the Solar System and the earth are all the dual four-season bodies. In the unity between physics and biology, the inorganic life materials and inorganic life body can be manufactured artificially.
文摘The way that humans think about the earth certainly affects the way that they relate and behave towards the earth and all its life forms. The various ideologies or worldviews that humanity has experienced such as dualism, capitalism, holism, animism, ubuntu, ukama, vital force, colonialism, and so forth are all different ways of thinking and relating to the earth. The paper argues that dualistic ways of thinking or viewpoints that radically separate the human as distinct from the earth are hostile to both human and earth flourishing. It further argues that the ecological crisis which has witnessed the destruction and pollution of the ecosystems and other devastations cannot be solved when humans continue to see the earth as an object for conquest and exploitation. Using a critical hermeneutics method, the paper affirms that the African principle of relationality can help in mitigating the environmental crisis. It finds and concludes that if this principle is radically practiced, a better environment will be created.
文摘This paper provides an overview of the degradation in CANDU^a （Canadian Deuterium Uranium） feeders in operating plants observed from the mid 1990s onward. The degradation has been dominated by feeder wall thinning, caused by FAC （flow accelerated corrosion） and feeder cracking. This paper summarizes the industry＇s response to the discovery of these two degradation mechanisms and the methodologies, tools and technologies developed to monitor the degradation and assess the continued fitness for service to manage the plant life. This paper identifies some of the lessons gained from more than a decade of industry effort, and discusses how these lessons are being implemented in the refurbished and new CANDU plants. CANDU^a is a registered trademark of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.
